Venetian blind



Jar 1. 26, 1937. G. F. BRENT -r AL VENETIAN BLIND Filed Sept. 18, 1955 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 a 0 6 8 1 l Z n,

9 lllllllllllfil/l/i/J ATTORNEYS Patented Jan. 26, 1937 I UNITED STATES PATENT O F FlC VENETIAN BLIND George F. Brent and James M. Guthrie, Pitts- 12 Claims.

The invention relates to Venetian blinds, and consists in refinements construction of such blinds.

A Venetian blind includes in structure a vertically extending series of opaque slats which are suspended upon two or more flexible straps. The slats of the group are angularly adjustable; they may be adjusted in unison to lie in' spaced-apart horizontalplanes, and, alternately, they may be tilted in such manner that the successive slats overlap and provide a closed screen. Between these two extreme positions of angular adjustment, the slats may be tilted to any desired. degree, whereby the light-admitting spaces between the opaque slats may be regulated as desired. Additionally, the horizontal slats are movable relatively to one another, thereby admitting adjustment of the vertical extent of the blind, and permitting, when desired, the entire group of slats to be gathered or nested at the top of the window or other opening in which the blind is installed.

More particularly the invention pertains to improved and simplified means for effectingthe above-mentioned adjustments of the slats of a Venetian blind. The invention further embraces II; Figs. IV and certain refinements in structural detail, as will appear in the ensuing specification.

In the accompanying drawings Fig. I is a view in front elevation of a window casement, showing a Venetian blind embodying the invention installed therein; Fig. II is a fragmentary view, illustrating in cross section (on the plane IIII, Fig. I), and to larger scale, the' organization of the slats .With their supporting straps; Fig. III is a fragmentary, sectional view of the structure, taken on the plane IIIIII, Fig. I, and shown on larger scale than Fig. I but on smaller than Fig. V are fragmentary views on the scale of Fig. III, illustrating partly in section and partly in elevation (on the planes IVIV and slats of the VV, respectively, of Fig. III) the side channels of the blind structure; Fig. VI is a fragmentary, sectional view of the installation, taken onthe plane VIVI of Fig. I, and to larger scale; Fig. VII is a fragmentary view to still larger scale, showing the basal slat and several intermediate blind in elevated positions; Fig. VII shows the structure, partly in front elevation and partly in section, on the plane indicated at VIIV]I in Fig.VI; Fig. VIII is a fragmentary view comparable with Fig. VII, but showing only the basal slat, and illustrating a detail; Figs. IX and X are sectional views, taken on the planes IX-IX and X-X of Fig. VIII, re-

and simplifications in the modification in spectively; Fig. XI is a fragmentary view comparable with Fig. VIII, and illustrating still another modification; and Fig. XII is a. view in perspective of a particular sliding element embodied in the structure of Fig.

In the drawings the reference numeral 1 is applied to a window frame or casement in which a Venetian blind embodying the invention is installed. The blind consists of a head-bar 2, a basal bar or slat 4, and an intervening series of 1 opaque slats 6. In usual way,two or more vertical hangers 3 are suspended from the head-bar 2, and are secured at their lower ends to the basal bar 4. As shown in Fig. II, each hanger 3 includes a pair of flexible-straps 3a and 312, be- 15 tween which paired cross-bands 5, 5 extend, at uniformly spaced-apart points vertically of the straps. The straps are flexible, and, conveniently, are formed of fabric tape, to which the crossbands 5, 5 (also formed of 'fabric) are .united, 20 by stitching or interweaving in mafiher wellknown to the art. The slats 6 lie between the paired cross-bands 5, 5, and are thereby supported in vertically spaced relation, as illustrated in Fig. I.

Adjacent each of the opposite sides of the window casement I, a vertical way 1 is provided; the opposite ways I extend in common vertical plane, and the opposite ends of head-bar 2 and slats 6 extend into such ways, as shown in Fig. III. In this case channels 8a and 8b'of thin sheet metal provide the way and the channels ,are secured to the opposite sides of the window casement I, say by means of nails or screws 9. The head-bar 2 is pivotally supported at its opposite ends, whereby it may be turned upon a horizontal axis. In normal position the head-bar lies in a horizontal plane, and the several slats 6 and basal bar 4 severally lie in planes spaced therefrom and parallel thereto. When the headbar is axially turned, the outer straps 3a of the two hangers move upward and the inner straps 3b move downward (or vice versa, depending upon the direction of turning of the head-bar). Accordingly, all of the slat-supporting cross-bands 5, 5 moved into inclined positions, and the slats 6 and basal bar 4 are tilted in unison and to equal degree. In this way the light-admitting spaces between the slats may be regulated.

Advantageously, the pivotal mounting for the head-bar 2 is incorporated in the channels 8a and 8b, and, advantageously, the-means for tilt.- ing the head-bar are organized with one of such channels. More specifically, an embossment I0 is formed near the top of each channel mem- 5 each embossment from its supporting brackets.

bar" 2 may be readily mounted and dismantled, v

in the well-known manner in which the ordinary window-shade roller is installed and removed It; will be understood, therefore, that the entire slat assembly is i the basal bar 4 is 4, to the end that the tiltably supported by the head-bar 2, with the opposite ends of the slats laterally confined within the channels 8a and 8b. The means for tilting the assembly consists in a flexible wire or cable [2 secured at its opposite ends, by means of eyescrews I3, Figs. IIIand VI, to the opposite corners of the head-bar 2 that lie within the channel 81a. From the two eye-screws IS the wire l2 extends downward, within the side flanges of channel 811, in two vertical reaches, and, adjacent the foot of the channel, the wire passes beneath two pulleys 40, rotatably mounted on the channel 81;, in the relative positions shown in Fig. VI. As shown in Figs. I and VI, one of the side flanges of channel 8a is provided with an elongate, vertical slot l4; through such slot a slide 15 projects, and is made fast with the wire l2, note Fig. VI; the slide I5 is secured in slot l4, and includes a knob or finger-grip I5a, by means of which. the slide may be moved longitudinally of the slot. It will be perceived that, by moving the slide upward in the slot M, the wire l2 will effect the clockwise turning (Fig. VI) of the head-bar 2; or, by moving the slide downward, the head-bar will be turned counter-clockwise. By virtue of such structure the head-bar may be readily turned in either direction about its axis, and, in consequence, the slats of the blind in known manner may be adjusted in the desired tilted position. v

In the case of smaller installations-installations of the sizes normally used in the homeit has been found that the usual mechanism for raising and lowering the blind may, with attending advantages,-be eliminated In lieu of such mechanism,-supporting means or detents are organized with the opposite ends of the basal bar basal bar may be raised and lowered by hand, and will remain in adjusted position. As shown in Figs. 1v to VII, such means are found in a hookless fastener-a socalled zipper. That is to say, a pair strips l6, It, provided in known manner along their meeting edges with interlocking elements I1, is secured vertically upon the inner face of each channel 8a, 8b. Aslide I8 (Fig. VII) of usual sort is organized with each pair of strips lGl, l6, and in known way the slide may be moved upward and downward over, and in engagement with, the elements ll carried by the companion edges of such strips, thereby alternately interlocking and releasing said elements. The invention is concerned with the locking and interlocking of the fastener elements i1 only insofar as force must be applied to the slide Hi to effect the operation. That is, the slide It! tends to remain in any position into which it is slid longitudinally (i. e., vertically in this case) of the companion fastener strips l6, l6, and requires a positive application of force to move it.

In the manner indicated in Fig. VII, each end of pivotally or rockably secured to of fabric the slide l8 of the hookless fastener l6, l6 secured to the channel (8a. or 8b) into which such end of the bar extends. An eye-screw I9 is secured in the center of each end of the basal bar, and engages the link 20 which is provided in usual way upon the slide l8. Thus, the two ends of the basal bar are secured to slides l8, and, by manually moving the basal bar 4 vertically upward or downward, the two slides l8 move in corresponding direction along their associated strips l6, Hi. The slides l8, by virtue of their inherent tendency to resist of the fastener strips, sustain thebasal bar in adjusted position.

In the case of larger and heavier structures, the slides l8 will be equipped with a locking device, positively to secure them in desired position. Such locking slides may be found in slide fasteners o-n-the market today, and illustration of them is deemed unnecessary.

4 may be adjusted vertically. As the basal bar is elevated, the flexible hangers 3 progressively fold, as indicated at 30 in Fig. VII, and the slats 6 gather or nest successively, one upon another; and, manifestly, the effective vertical extent of the blind structure within the window may be regulated as desired. It will be understood that the play in connections (I9, 20) that secure the basal bar 4 to the slides i8 permit such axial turning or rocking of the basal bar'as is incident to the tilting adjustment of the slat assembly.

In Figs VIII to X, inclusive, a modification in the means for guiding and securing the basal bar 4 is illustrated. A vertical guiding rail 2| is embodied in each channel 8a, 8b, and such rail may be integrally formed in the body of each channel, as shown in Fig. X. A slide member 22 of general U-shape (Fig. X) is positioned upon the rail, and the slide member embodies a leafspring 23 that bears=against one side of the rail and frictionally secures the slide member thereon. A rigid pin 24 projects from the slide member, and a socket 25, conveniently formed ina screw 52 (Fig. VIII) and embodied in the end portion of basal bar 4, receives such pin. In this of the opposite ends of'the basal manner each bar 4 is pivotally connected to a slide member 22, and, as the basal bar is vertically adjusted, the members 22 slide upon the vertical guiding rails 2|. when bar-adjusting pressureis relieved, the frictional engagement of the slide members upon the rails serves to secure the parts in adjusted positions. And, manifestly, the pin-and-socket engagement of the basal bar with the slides admits of the desired axialturning or rocking of the bar during the tilting adjustment of the slats as above-mentioned. K

In further refinement, the faces of the guiding rails 2| may be undulated or serrated, as shown at 2Ia in Fig. XI, and each slide member 220 may carry a detent 22b, adapted yieldingly to engage the. serrations, and afford a more secure (yet slidable.) engagemen of the slide member with the rail.

Returning to Fig. 7 without illustration that in modification of the wire l2 the slat-tilting 'means may consist in a rigid or semirigid rod or bar extending upward from the slide II to one corner of the head-bar 2. The rod may be pivotally connected to the slat in such manner that vertical movement of the slide l5 will-efiect the turning It will be perceived in Fig. I

of the head-bar." that the Venetian movement longitudinally v1, it will be understood hangers 3. Indeed, it

I0, and to remove the entire blind of this invention is exceedingly neat in appearance; the cumbersome, head structure found at the top of the usual Venetian blind has been eliminated no unsightly hardware fixtures are open-to view; the usual adjusting cords, that hitherto have spoiled the artistic symmetry of Venetian blinds, have been dispensedzwith, and

the simplified adjusting mechanisms of this invention are hidden within the channels 8a and 8b. The blind is economical to construct, and may be installed readily and quickly. It will be further observedthat, by virtue of the above-described structure, the slats 6 need not be perforated in the usual way for the use of guiding cords. The channels 8a, 8b serve laterally to hold the slats 6 in vertical alignment, and the channels also afford means for guiding the slats during the vertical adjustment of the blind. The art will appreciate the value of a Venetian blind structure in which every slat is positively guided and retained without recourse to perforating the slats, without providing them in some specialized shape, and without providing the slats with some auxiliary guiding fixtures.

In service the slats 6 become soiled, and from time to time must be removed and cleaned. To admit of the ready removing of the slats, one or both sides of the guiding ways I (Fig. III) are removable. Advantageously, the side flange 8d ,of the channel 8b may be moved into such position that the left-hand ends of the slats 6 beneath head-bar 2 may be swung out fromthe channel 8b, whereby, without dismantling the structure, the slatsmay be severally withdrawn from between the supporting bands 5, 5 of the flexible is easy to lift the head-bar 2 from its supports slat assembly from the window. In this case the side flange 8d is hinged to the base of .channel 8b, and may be swung from its normal position to the dotted line position 8d indicated in Fig. III, to admit of slat removal. And one or more thumb screws 26 (Figs. I and IV) cooperate with lugs 21, outstanding from the base of channel 8b, to secure the side flange 8d in its normal, slatguiding position, the position indicated in full lines in Fig. III.

We claim as our invention:

1. In a Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means for tiltably supporting-the slats, the combination of two vertical, horizontally spaced-apart ways into which said slats at their opposite ends extend, and means organized in one of said ways for tilting the slats.

2. ma Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means for tiltably supporting tne slats, the combination of two vertical, horizontally spaced-apart channels, means extending vertically of one of said channels for tilting said slats, and means accessible externally of such channel for operating said slattilting means. I I

3. ma Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means for tiltably supporting the slats, the combination of two vertical, horizontally spaced-apart channels, means extending vertically of one of said channels fortilting said slats, and means slidable relatively to such channel for operating said slat-tilting means.

4. In a Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means for tiltably supporting the slats, the combination of two vertical, horizontally spaced-apart channels, means extending vertically of one of said channels 1 the opposite sides for tilting said slats, and means guided for movement vertically of such channel and accessible externally thereof for operating said slat-tilting means.

5. In a Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means for tiltably supporting the slats, the combination of two vertical, horizontally spaced-apart channels, means extending vertically of one of said channels for tilting said slats, a slot in such channel, and means movable longitudinally of said slot for operating said slat-tilting means.

6. In a Venetian blind including a vertical series of horizontally extending slats and means including flexible hangers for vertically supporting the slats, the combination of two vertical channels into which the slats at their opposite ends extend, said channels providing means for maintaining the vertically supported slats in lateral alignment, and at least one of said channels including a movable side portion, whereby slats may be readily removed from the assembly.

7. In a Venetian blind including a head-bar, a basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally extending slats supported on flexible hangers between said head-bar and said basal bar, the combination of a slat-supporting vertically guided detent adjacent'each of the opposite ends of said basal bar, and means for rockably connecting the detents to. the basal bar for common vertical movement while admitting of angular movement of the basal bar.

8. In a Venetian blind including a head-bar, a basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally extending slats supported on flexible hangers between said head-bar and said basal bar, the combination of a vertically extending way at each of of said slat assembly, means extending vertically in each of said ways, and a slat-supporting detent connected to each of the opposite ends of said basal bar, said detents severally cooperating with said means, and providing vertically adjustable support for said basal bar.

9. In a Venetian blind including a head-bar, a basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally extending slats supported on flexible hangers between said head-bar and said basal bar, the

combination of a vertically extending channel at each of the opposite sides of said slat assembly, into which channels said slats at their opposite ends extend, rails carried by said channels and extending vertically, and a slat-supporting detent connected to each of the opposite ends of said basal bar, said detents severally engaging said vertically extending rails and providing vertically adjustable support for said basal bar.

10. In a Venetian blind including a head-bar a basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally extending slats supported on flexible hangers between said head-bar and said basal bar, the combination of a vertically extending way at each of the opposite sides of said slat assembly, into which ways said slats at their opposite ends extend, means extending vertically in each of said ways, and a slat-supporting detent connected to each of the opposite ends of said basal bar, said detents severally engaging said vertically extending means and providing vertically adjustable support for said basal bar, and means organized in one of said ways and cooperating with said head-bar for adjusting the angular position of said vertical series of slats.

11. In a Venetian blindjncluding a head-bar, a basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally extending slats supported on flexible hangers beextending slats supported on flexible hangers between said head-bar and said basal bar,-the comtween said head-bar and said basal bar, a chanbination of a channel supported in vertical posinel vertically positioned at each of the opposite tion at each of the opposite sides of said slat sides of said slat assembly, means included in said assembly, means organized with one of said chanchannels (and substantially hidden from view) 5 nels for angularly adjusting the series of slats, for tilting the slats of said assembly, and means means in said channels for vertically supporting rockably connected to the opopsite ends of said said basal bar, said means being rockably conbasal bar for supporting such bar in various posinected to the opposite ends of said basal bar to tions of vertical adjustment while admitting of admit of angular movement of the basal bar for said angular adjustment of the slat assembly. 10 the purpose described. p

12. A Venetian blind including a head-bar, a -GEORGE F. BRENT. basal bar, and a vertical series of horizontally JAMES M. GUTHRIE. 

